Surgery is the initial procedure in the treatment of many cancers. Surgery and other invasive procedures work by removing cancerous tissues.

Surgical removal of the kidney offers the best option for a cure for patients able to physically tolerate the procedure.

Surgery also may be used to remove cancerous lesions that have spread to other organs. This is usually done to control symptoms and not to cure the disease.

Nephrectomy

Nephrectomy
is the removal of the whole kidney. Part of the affected kidney may be removed in certain cases, such as:

The tumor is small.

The cancer is in both kidneys.

You have only one functioning kidney.

Nephrectomy is recommended for Stage I and II kidney cancer. Nephrectomy plus removal of regional lymph nodes is common for Stage III. If the cancer has spread to the renal vein, the tumor may be removed and the vein may be repaired.

The doctor may recommend an arterial embolization before surgery to decrease blood flow to the affected kidney. For this procedure, a catheter is inserted through the groin and threaded up to the renal artery. The doctor injects a substance into the artery to block blood flow.

Description of the Procedure

An incision is made under the ribs or in the back just behind the kidney. The whole malignant kidney (radical nephrectomy) or a portion of the cancerous kidney (partial nephrectomy) is removed. The adrenal gland may be removed. One adrenal gland sits above each kidney. Nearby lymph nodes may also be taken out. The incision is closed with stitches or staples, and bandaged to prevent infection.

Generally, this has been an open procedure. But the laparoscopic approach has become the preferred method to treat kidney cancer. With this method, small incisions are made in the skin through which a camera, light source, and surgical instruments are inserted. The surgeon performs the surgery using these tools, without cutting open the abdomen or back. With the laparoscopic approach, you should have a faster recovery and spend only a couple of days in the hospital. Open surgery is still performed, usually for larger tumors that require more extensive surgery. You will stay in the hospital for four to seven days.

Effectiveness

Nephrectomy is very successful. It has a five-year survival rate of 94% for patients with Stage I disease. For Stage II, it offers a five-year survival rate of 79%. The survival rate varies for Stage III, depending on where and how much the cancer has spread.

Possible Complications

Bleeding

Infection

Damage to other internal organs or blood vessels during the procedure

Reaction to anesthesia

Collection of air or gases in the lung cavity

Kidney failure, if the remaining kidney does not function well

Postoperative Care

After surgery, you may need:

Urinary catheter—A tube is passed through the urethra into the bladder to measure urine output and avoid the need to urinate in the bathroom.

Medications—You may be given antibiotics, pain medication, or antinausea drugs after surgery.

Coughing and deep breathing exercises—Your nurse or respiratory therapist will show you how to do these exercises, which are usually done 3-4 times daily to help keep your lungs clear.

In the hospital and after you leave:

Get out of bed often and sit in a chair. Increase your activity as much as tolerated.

Stay well hydrated.

Avoid environments and people that expose you to germs, smoke, or chemical irritants.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

Call your doctor if you have:

Difficulty breathing

Stitches or staples that come apart

A bandage that becomes soaked with blood

Mucus you are coughing up that is yellow, green, or bloody

Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the incision site

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.